Page 129 of Red King

I shake my head. I tell her what happened at the store. “I’m sorry, but I ran out without buying anything. Now I’ve slept the whole afternoon away. I haven’t made dinner or taken the poor dogs for a walk. I think I’m coming down with something,” I grumble. “It isn’t fair because soon I’m going to be bleeding like a stuck pig as well as having a tummy bug, which is a bit of a double whammy, if you ask me.”

Fortune whines at the door.

Becs is looking at me strangely. “Have you actually started your menstruation?”

I look down at the comforter. “I don’t know. Maybe. I hope not.” I widen my eyes. “I don’t think so.” I’m sure I’d feel it if I was bleeding everywhere. “It’s going to happen soon. My breasts have that feeling.”

“Heavy and sensitive?” She lifts her brows.

“Yep.” I start to get up.

“Stay in bed,” Becs tells me.

“I can’t. I need to go back to the store. Although, I don’t think they’re going to let me in. I’m sure they’ve stuck a picture of me at the entrance next to the sign that says, ‘Admission Reserved.’”

She chokes out a laugh. “I highly doubt it. Stay right where you are. You aren’t well.” She puts her hand on my forehead, feeling for a fever.

I get all teary.

She cocks her head at me. “Why do you look like you’re about to cry?”

“Because Iamabout to cry. Becs, you’re going to make the best mother.” I sniff, wiping my eyes. “Don’t mind me. I hate having my period. It always makes me emotional.”

“You cry whenever you have your period?” She frowns.

“No…but…it…I…” I shrug. “I’m feeling emotional, that’s all.”

“Here’s the plan: Dave will be home in half an hour. I’m going to send him to the store to get everything we need, including your tampons.”

I gasp. “You can’t send your poor fiancé to buy my tampons. That wouldn’t be right at all.” I shake my head.

“If he knows what’s good for him, he’ll go to the store and get every darned thing on the list. He can take the dogs along so that they get an outing. When he gets back, I will help him cook dinner. If you have a tummy bug, then you need to stay here in bed.”

“No, you—” I shake my head.

“You are not well.” She looks at me strangely. “I’ll be back in a second.”

“Where are you going?” I ask, but she leaves without further explanation.

Cookie looks at me like I killed his best friend. “Don’t make me feel worse. I’m sorry, okay?”

Fortune whines again just as Becs returns. She has something in her hand. I’m pretty sure I know what it is. I’m not sure why she has it.

“Ummmm…what is that?” I ask in an unsure voice.

“It’s a pregnancy test. I had two left out of a box of five I bought. I didn’t trust the doctor, so I took three more tests after I got home, just to be sure.”

“Why do you have it…in your hand? We know you’re pregnant.” I sound completely confused because I am.

“It’s for you.”

I choke out a laugh. “Are you kidding me right now? I’m not doing a pregnancy test.” I sound downright indignant because how dare she?How dare she?“I’m not pregnant. I can’t get pregnant, remember?” I snort in irritation.

“Miracles happen. There are plenty of kids running around out there who were never supposed to be born. Let’s go over your symptoms, shall we? You’re tired, emotional, your sense of smell is off, same as mine, you’re nauseous and bloated with sensitive breasts. Did you use protection when you slept with your CEO?” She narrows her eyes.

My mouth has fallen open. “No, but I didn’t have to because—”

“Holy shit, Paisley.”

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